Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People report on the Diocese of Gaylord

January 12, 2004

Diocese of

Gaylord, Michigan

The Diocese of Gaylord, which was established in 1971, encompasses 21 counties of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It consists of 81 parishes and 20 schools, has 12 deacons and 66 diocesan priests, and serves a population of 80,165 registered Catholics. The Most Rev. Patrick R. Cooney, who was installed as bishop in 1989, leads the diocese. A compliance audit of the diocese was conducted Aug. 4-7, 2003.

The information set forth below represents conditions as they were found to exist during the week of the audit.

Findings

To Promote Healing and Reconciliation

The Diocese has established an outreach program. The bishop has met or offered to meet with all victims/survivors of abuse in the diocese who reported the abuse after June 2002. The victim assistance coordinator is Candace Neff, who also functions as director of communications. A diocesan review board was established in 1994 as the "misconduct commission." It was restructured in 2003 in order to conform to the charter. It consists of nine members, including one priest and eight respected members of the lay community, representing a diverse spectrum of professions. The diocese was commended for the early creation of the board and for the excellence of its performance. The procedures for making a complaint of abuse are readily available in printed form. There have been no confidentiality agreements entered into by the diocese since June 2002.

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To Guarantee Effective Response to Allegations of Abuse of a Minor

The diocese has established effective liaison with local civil authorities, ensuring an open dialogue regarding sexual abuse allegations. A commendation was issued for the excellence of the diocese's relationships with county prosecutors, local law enforcement, and Child Protective Services personnel throughout the 21 counties in the diocesan territory. The diocese has a procedure in place to advise victims/survivors of their right to report allegations of abuse by a member of the clergy to civil authorities. The diocese has established a clear and well-publicized code of conduct for priests and deacons. The diocese has a communications policy that reflects the bishop's pledge to be open and transparent on issues regarding the sexual abuse of children.

To Ensure Accountability

of Procedures

The Diocese has participated in the research study regarding the "nature and scope" of the problem of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy.

To Protect the Faithful in the Future

The diocese has implemented a self-developed safe environment program that utilizes the resources of local service agencies. The diocese has publicized standards of conduct for priests and deacons, as well as diocesan employees, volunteers, and any other church personnel in positions of trust who have regular contact with children and young people. The diocese conducts background evaluations for all diocesan and parish personnel who have regular contact with minors. The diocese has not transferred any priest or deacon who has had a credible allegation of sexual abuse lodged against him to another diocese for ministerial assignment, or for purposes of residence. The bishop, or his delegate, and the major superiors have coordinated their respective roles regarding issues of allegations of sexual abuse made against a cleric member of a religious institute. The diocese has not had an opportunity to cooperate with other churches, religious bodies, and institutions of learning in conducting research in the area of sexual abuse of minors. The diocese has established screening and evaluative techniques in the selection of candidates for ordination and ongoing formation programs for priests.

Compliance with the Provisions of the Charter

At the conclusion of this audit, the Diocese of Gaylord was found to be compliant with the provisions of the charter as measured by the process described in Chapter 2 in Section I and was issued two commendations.

COMMENDATION 1 - For the 1988 adoption of an excellent sexual abuse prevention policy, which has been updated three times and is in conformance with all elements of the Charter, and for the creation of a review board in 1994 which has performed significant service to the bishop in matters regarding allegations of sexual abuse.

COMMENDATION 2 - For the steps taken to establish excellent relationships with county prosecutors, law enforcement agencies, and Child Protective Services in dealing with allegations of sexual abuse of minors.

The compliance audit measured activity that has occurred since the adoption of the Charter in June 2002 with the exception of certain mandated actions found in Articles 5 and 14. Actions taken by the diocese/eparchy prior to June 2002 to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by priests and deacons are not included in this summary report.